NAME: Birk Irving

HOME: Winter Park, CO

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP IN YOUR HOMETOWN? Cool! I started skiing at 2½; the ski area has been my playground.

DOES WINTER PARK HAVE A SKI/SNOWBOARD SCENE? Well ya!

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO WINTER PARK? My family

WITH PARKS LIKE THE RAIL YARD AND DARK TERRITORY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NEXT FOR THE YOUNG GUNS? Everybody is just getting better and throwing crazier stuff.

WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU IN REGARD TO YOUR SKIING? Lots of comps, lots of skiing, having fun. Hopefully the K2 Grom team this spring.

WHAT'S YOUR SET-UP?
1. Bindings: Marker
2. Boots: Technica
3. Skis: K2
4. Goggles: Smith
5. Pants, jacket, gloves: Whatever fits
5. Other: Smith helmet

BEFORE YOU HIT A TRICK, HOW DO YOU PREPARE YOURSELF PSYCHOLOGICALLY? I visualize myself doing the trick and landing it.

BACKCOUNTRY IS BEAUTIFUL BUT CAN BE STUPID SCARY. ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT THE JOURNEY? Take an avalanche class.

FAVORITE FOOD: Fresh crab

HEROES: Simon Dumont, Tom Wallisch, Sammy Carlson and Mike Hornbeck

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Animal Planet

FAVORITE MOVIE: 'Refresh,' Level 1

FAVORITE ALBUM: I don't have one.

MUSIC TO SHRED TO: Rap and Hip-hop

YOUR LINKS: Newschoolers, Skinet, Vimeo

SPONSORS: K2 skis, Smith Optics

ANY SHOUT OUTS? WP Freeride team, Fred and all my WP skiing friends, mom and dad